Ilex plant named ‘BB9’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ilex verticillata  cultivar named ‘BB9’ which is characterized by vigorous growth, producing a large amount of strong, upright main stems with numerous lateral branches, with each bearing large vibrant red berries along their entire length. The claimed plant propagates successfully by softwood stem cuttings and has proven to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Ilex verticillata.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Ilex verticillatadisclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘BB9’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Ilexverticillata, which has been given the denomination, ‘BB9’. Ilexverticillata, known commonly as winterberry, is a deciduous perennialthat is widely cultivated for its ornate berries born along the lateralbranches. The berries persist for many months through fall and winter,making it an ideal plant for ornamental landscaping in its hardinessrange and also for the cut flower industry. Its market class is PLT/247.

Parentage: The new cultivar ‘BB9’ is a seedling selection resulting fromthe open pollination of Ilex verticillata ‘Magical Times’ (unpatented inthe United States), the seed parent, and an undesignated male Ilexverticillata plant, the pollen parent. In 2005, seeds were harvestedfrom ‘Magical Times’ which resulted in approximately 2000 seedlings. InMarch of 2006, the seedlings were transplanted into a field in WillowCreek, Calif. and grown to a mature size. From 2006 to 2011, theseplants were evaluated for commercial production, based on criteria suchas growth habit and fruiting habit. In the fall of 2011, one plant wasobserved which exhibited an upright growth habit with a large number ofvery strong main stems, each with a high density of large, vibrant redberries along the lateral branches. The new plant was isolated and grownto a mature size to confirm the distinctness and stability of thecharacteristics initially observed. After further evaluation andconfirmation of the desirable traits, the claimed plant was finallyselected for commercialization in September of 2014 and given thebreeder denomination, ‘BB9’.

Asexual Reproduction: In the summer of 2012, ‘BB9’ was first asexuallyreproduced in Willow Creek, Calif. by way of softwood stem cuttingstaken from one year old growth. The claimed plant was found to asexuallyreproduce in uniform and stable manner and two successive cycles ofvegetative propagation have proven to be true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed andrepresent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Ilexverticillata cultivar ‘BB9’. These traits, in combination, distinguish‘BB9’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. ‘BB9’ exhibits excellent plant vigor and a fast rate of        growth; and    -   2. ‘BB9’ exhibits a large quantity of very strong and upright        main stems; and    -   3. ‘BB9’ exhibits short lateral branches; and    -   4. ‘BB9’ exhibits a large quantity of berries born along the        entire length of the lateral branches, including the distal most        portion of the lateral branches usually devoid of berries in the        species; and    -   5. ‘BB9’ exhibits large, vibrant red berries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary three and ahalf year old field-grown ‘BB9’ plant in Willow Creek, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, a cut stem with fruit,harvested from an exemplary three and a half year old field grown ‘BB9’plant in Willow Creek, Calif.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of a Ilex verticillata known as ‘BB9’. Plant observations weremade on field grown plants produced in Willow Creek, Calif. Unlessindicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based uponobservations made of a mature ‘BB9’ plant, transplanted into a loamyclay field in June of 2014 as a one year old rooted cutting grown in a 4inch nursery pot. The plant received morning shade and were grown usingconventional production techniques for this species. The plant wasprovided overhead irrigation for two months after transplant andthereafter received regular drip irrigation. Fertilizer was regularlyapplied using a fertigation technique, and the plant was occasionallytreated for mites when required. In January of 2015, the plant waspruned to 7 cm above soil level and have since been allowed to growwithout further pruning. Observation data was recorded in the October of2016.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘BB9’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions,sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to beunderstood that such characteristics are approximations or averages setforth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety mayvary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Colornotations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, TheRoyal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition except where commonterms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘BB9’ and comparisons with the presumedparents are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Plant habit.—Deciduous perennial shrub with an upright            growth habit and excellent plant vigor. Ilex verticillata is            a dioecious plant and ‘BB9’ is a female plant of the            species.        -   Height.—Approximately 110 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 70 cm.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Hardy in US Hardiness Zones 3            through 9; high tolerance to wind and rain.        -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—Plants have            not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to            pathogens and pests common to Ilex verticillata.        -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using softwood stem            cuttings.        -   Time to develop roots.—Approximately 21 days, in a            propagation house with bottom heat and an average ambient            temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.        -   Crop time.—Approximately 5 weeks are needed to produce a            fully rooted cutting; after transplanting young plants grown            in four inch nursery containers into a production field,            fruit bearing stems can be harvested from the mature plants            at the end of the second growing season.-   Root system:    -   -   Description.—A network of larger primary roots and fine,            fibrous lateral roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching, dense, and evenly            distributed throughout the soil profile.        -   Color, primary roots.—Greyed-orange, RHS 164B.        -   Color, lateral roots.—Greyed-yellow, RHS 161C.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching habit.—Free, basally branching habit; numerous            upright main stems, each producing numerous lateral            branches. Main stems are typically unbranched, yet            occasionally branched.        -   Main stems.—Quantity — 37 observed. Attitude — Erect; near            vertical. Cross section — Circular. Diameter — Up to 15 mm,            at the base of the most mature stems. Length — Longest stem            is 115 cm long. Internode length — Varying from 5 to 35 mm.            Color — A combination of Greyed-green, RHS 197D, and            Greyed-brown, RHS 199D. Texture — Smooth, glabrous. Strength            — Very strong.        -   Lateral branches.—Quantity — Lower lateral branches            senescing with age; 12 to 16 lateral branches per main stem            which are present on the upper half of main stems. Stem            angle to main axis — In between 60 and 80 degrees.            Cross-section — Circular. Diameter — 3 mm at the base.            Length — Longest lateral branch is 15.5 cm long. Internode            length — Varying from 5 to 20 mm. Color, juvenile —            Yellow-green, RHS 152A. Color, mature — Greyed-yellow, RHS            161A. Texture — Smooth, glabrous; lenticels present.            Lenticels are elliptical; approximately 1.0 mm long and 0.75            mm wide; color is greyed-brown, RHS 199D. Stem strength —            Strong.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Shape.—Elliptical.        -   Length.—80 mm.        -   Width.—18 mm.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Serrulate.        -   Aspect.—Nearly flat.        -   Texture and pubescence, adaxial surface.—Smooth and            glabrous.        -   Texture and pubescence, abaxial surface.—Smooth and glabrous            with the exception of a few small hairs on the midrib.        -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS            147A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS            147C. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Nearest to            yellow-green, RHS 147A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 147C.        -   Venation.—Pattern — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface —            The midrib is yellow-green, RHS 144C; all other veins are            yellow-green, RHS 144A. Vein color, abaxial surface — The            midrib is yellow-green, RHS 145C; all other veins are            yellow-green, RHS 144C.        -   Petiole.—Length — 12 mm. Diameter — 1.5 mm. Color, adaxial            surface — Yellow-green, RHS 144C. Color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 145C. Texture, adaxial and abaxial            surfaces — Smooth; glabrous.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Solitary female flowers occurring at the leaf axils,            with 3 to 6 flowers at each axil.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Shape.—Round to short ovoid.        -   Dimensions.—Approximately 2.5 mm long and 3.5 mm in            diameter.        -   Color, upper and lower surfaces.—Nearest to yellow-green,            RHS 145D.-   Flower:    -   -   General description.—Single rotate flowers with a shallow            cup shape; flowers are female.        -   Natural flowering season.—May through early June in Willow            Creek, Calif.        -   Quantity.—3 to 6 flowers per axil, with approximately 9            flowers on shorter proximal lateral branches and 28 to 30 on            longer distal lateral branches.        -   Lastingness.—At greater than 25 degrees Celsius, petals drop            away in approximately 5 days; at 15 degrees Celsius, petals            drop away in approximately 8 days.        -   Persistence.—Not persistent.        -   Fragrance.—Not fragrant.        -   Attitude.—Flowers held upright and slightly outward.        -   Dimensions.—Corolla is 7 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm deep.        -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — 3.5 mm long and 1 mm in diameter.            Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144A at the proximal portion and            fading to RHS 144C at the distal portion of the peduncle.            Texture — Smooth; glabrous. Strength — Medium.        -   Calyx.—Shape — Sepals fused at the base forming a cup, with            6 to 7 rotate sepal lobes. Diameter — 2.5 to 3.0 mm,            measured from apex of one sepal lobe to the apex of an            opposing sepal lobe. Depth — Approximately 1.25 to 1.5 mm            deep. Quantity of sepal lobes — 6 to 7 sepal lobes;            typically 6. Apex, sepal lobes — Sepal lobes acute. Base —            Fused. Margin — Entire; ciliate. Texture, inner and outer            surfaces — Smooth and glabrous. Color when opening, inner            surface — Yellow-green, RHS 147C. Color when opening, outer            surface — Yellow-green, RHS 147C. Color when fully open,            inner surface — Yellow-green, RHS 147C. Color when fully            open, outer surface — Yellow-green, RHS 147C.        -   Petals.—Quantity of petals — 6 to 7 petals, fused at the            base; typically with 6 petals. Arrangement — Single rotate            whorl. Petal lobe apex — Obtuse. Petal lobe margin — Entire;            slightly undulated. Texture, inner and outer surfaces —            Smooth; glabrous. Luster, inner and outer surfaces — Matte            to very slightly glossy. Color when opening, inner surface —            White, RHS 155C. Color when opening, outer surface — White,            RHS 155C. Color when fully open, dorsal surface — Nearest to            green-white, RHS 157D; petals are slightly translucent.            Color when fully open, ventral surface — Nearest to            green-white, RHS 157D; petals are slightly translucent.            Petal color fading to — Not fading.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamens — Quantity — 6 to 7 sterile stamens.            Position — Inserted; free. Attachment — One stamen attached            at the base of each petal. Overall length — Approximately            1.25 to 1.5 mm long. Filament — Dimensions — 0.5 to 0.75 mm            long and approximately 0.25 mm in diameter. Color —            Green-white, RHS 157D. Anthers — Attachment — Basifixed.            Shape — Nearly globose, with a longitudinal split.            Dimensions — 0.5 to 0.75 mm long and 0.5 mm wide. Color —            Green-white, color varies between RHS 157A and 157D. Pollen            — None.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistils — Quantity — One; inferior to the            corolla. Overall dimensions — Approximately 2.0 mm tall and            1.5 to 1.75 mm in diameter at the stigma. Stigma — Shape —            Globular. Dimensions — 1.5 to 1.75 mm in diameter, and 0.5            mm to 0.75 mm tall. Color — Yellow-green, approximating to a            combination of RHS 144C and 144D. Style — Shape — Relatively            broad, and truncated. Dimensions — 0.5 to 1.0 mm tall and            1.0 to 1.25 mm in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144C.            Ovary — Position — Superior. Dimensions — 0.5 to 1.0 mm tall            and 1.0 to 1.75 mm in diameter. Color — Yellow-green, RHS            144C.-   Fruit and seed:    -   -   Fruit.—Type — Simple, indehiscent berry. Time to maturity —            Very early to fruit, maturing usually near the first week of            September in Willow Creek, Calif. Shape — Globose. Quantity            — 3 to 6 berries per axil, with approximately 9 berries on            shorter proximal lateral branches and 28 to 30 on longer            distal lateral branches. Dimensions — Approximately 10 mm in            diameter, and 7 to 8 mm tall. Texture, pubescence and luster            — Smooth, glabrous and glossy. Color, mature fruit — Red,            approximating to a combination of RHS 44A and 44B.        -   Seed.—Quantity — Usually 4 per berry. Shape — Oblong,            three-sided, with an ovate to deltoid outline. Dimensions —            4 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter. Color — Greyed-orange, RHS            165D. Texture — Slightly rough.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BB9’ differ from the seed parent, Ilexverticillata ‘Magical Times’, by the characteristics described inChart 1. The pollen parent is unknown and therefore no comparison isavailable.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘BB9’ ‘Magical Times’ Timing of fruit Typicallyin the first week Typically in the second week maturation. of September;one week of September; one week earlier than later than ‘BB9’. ‘MagicalTimes’. Occurrence of Berries present along the Berries only present onberries on entire length of lateral approximately 60 percent of lateralbranches. branches. lateral branches; distalmost portion devoid ofberries. Productivity; 37, resulting in more 10 to 12, resulting in muchnumber of harvestable cut stems. fewer harvestable cut stems.harvestable main stems.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR ILEX VERTICILLATA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THEINVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BB9’ are most similar to the cultivar, Ilexverticillata ‘Oosterwijk’ (not patented in the United States). Acomparison of ‘BB9’ with Ilex ‘Oosterwijk’ is described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘BB9’ ‘Oosterwijk’ Timing of fruit Typically inthe first week Typically in the fourth week maturation. of September;three weeks of September; three weeks earlier than ‘Oosterwijk’. laterthan ‘BB9’. Occurrence of Berries present along the Berries only presenton berries on entire length of lateral approximately 60 percent oflateral branches. branches. lateral branches; distalmost portion devoidof berries. Productivity; 37, resulting in more 9 to 12, resulting inmuch number of harvestable cut stems. fewer harvestable cut stems.harvestable main stems.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Ilexverticillata plant named ‘BB9’, substantially as described andillustrated herein.